Cap structure for writing instruments



March 17, 1925- 1,529,652-

' G. HOFMANN ET AL CAP STRUCTURE FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS 1 OriginalFiled Feb. 2, 1922 Invenfqf'si u/Maw Hie/r LAT-rim ey J.

& Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HOFMANN AND ROBERT G. SCHROEDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASBIGNOMTO RALPH BAJB/D, TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CAP STRUCTURE FOR WRITINGINSTRUMENTS,

Original application filed February 2, 1922, Serial February 8, 1923.

To all whom it may comm:

Be it known that we, GEORGE Hormmr and ROBERT G. Sonnonnna, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Chicago, in the 6 county of Cook andState of Illinois, have made certain new and useful Improvements in GapStructures for Writing Instruments, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention has for its general object to provide a simple, compactand desirable cap-structure particularly designed for use in connectionwith a combined fountain pen and lead-feeding pencil, such as thecombined instrument shown in our pending aplication for Letters Patentof the United tates Serial No. 533,676, filed February 2, .1922, ofwhich application this is'a division.

In the cap-structure shown, we make provision for cap-cooperation withthe penequipped end of a fountain pen structure to afford protection tothe pen, and additionally provide, in concealment within the cap, butfor ready accessibility when needed, reservoir spaces for the receptionof spare leads for the encil structure, and an eraser; and with thlsconstruction we preferably make provision for effective retention of aholding clip exteriorly mounted on the'cap. A further object of ourinvention is to pro- ::0 vide a construction that may easily and cheaplbe manufactured and assembled, and w ereof the parts that are subjectedto wear or deterioration may easily be replaced and which when in use inconnection with either end structure of the combined instrument, doesnotinterfere with proper balance or facile handling of the device.

To these ends, and the attainment of other objects which will becomeapparent -1 to those skilled in the art from the following description,ourinvention consists in the features of construction and arrangementsof parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings Fig. 1 shows a combined fountain-pen and lead pencilequipped with a cap embodying our invention, parts of the constructionbein brokenv away, the position of the cap w en the fountain pen end ofthe instrument is in use being indicated by dotted lines; Fig. 2 is avertical section through the cap structure; Fig. 3 is a horizontasection on line 33 of Fig. 2. In the drawings 10 indicates a barrel,

pen-point 13 and at its ot er end a No. 533,676. Divided and thisapplication filed Serial No. 617,698.

with either end of which the cap 12 may cooperate, said barrel havin atone end a en pencil mechanism 14, of suitable renewa leleadconstruction. The barrel 10 may have near its pen-equipped end ascrew-threaded portion 13 for cooperation with the cap, and near itspencil-equipped end a taper portion 14 on which the cap may befrictionally seated by direct thrust. The cap 12 is formed with a rubbershell 41 open at both ends, the lower end having .internal provision ofscrew-threads 413 to engage the threads 13.of the fountain pen barrel,and below such threads 413 a taper portion 414 for engaging the taperportion 14 of the barrel 10. Within the shell 41 a shoulder 43 isformed, beyond the range of interference with the ta ered tip mechanismof the lead pencil, an preferably in osition to coact with thepen-equipped en of the barrel 10 for sealing purposes, and space abovesaid shoulder 43 is utilized as follows:

An inner sleeve 44, preferably of rubber, is inserted into the upperopen end of the cap 12 to. make contact with the upper surface of theshoulder 43 and to leave a leadreceptive space between the sleeve andthe ca wall, such space being preferably divi ed into compartments byribs 45 on the exterior of the sleeve as best shown in Fig. 3. Thesleeve len h should be slightly greater than that o a replacement leadfor the pencil mechanism, and in the open end of t e sleeve-a collar 47is inserted, having a flange 48 partly to overlie the leadreceptivespaces 46. An eraser 49, of rub her or the like, is'preferably carriedin this flan ecl collar, the eraser shown being of mus room shape, witha stem portion extending into the collar and a broad head neatlyoverlying the collar-flange, so as to give an ample erasing surface andone that, adjacent its marginal edges, is firmly supported by the collarflange. The rubber sleeve 44 may have its ribs tightly fitted into thecap body against accidental displace ment, but the eraser-carryingcollar should be readily removable from said sleeve to give free accessto the lead 2 in the reservoircompartment. A thin metal cap 50,slipfitted on a slightly reduced portion 50"of the rubber shell coversthe eraser and gives an ornamental finish to the ca but is readily Ipreferably takm removable to give access to the internal parts.

A holding clip 51 1s preferably provided, form as a ball-ended spring 52tonne between its ends into a suitable spring-bow 53 and having its.narrow end 54 passed throu h an aperture in the side of the cap, and tence extended as at 55 alon the inside of the cap in a groove 56 formedto receive it in one of the ribs of the magazine-sleeve. By snuglyfitting the spring-portion 55 in such a groove of ribs 45, the partsserve mutually to anchor each other and the spring clip is given a verystrong and effective bearirfg without the use of rivets or other usualfastening devices. L c While we have herein shown and described a singleembodiment of our invention in simple, compact form particularlydesigned for operative excellence and manufacturing economy, itwill beapparent that changes in detail may be made without departure from thespirit of our invention within the scope of the appended claims.

/Ve claim:

1. A cap for a writing instrument of the character described, having anexternal Wall, a sleeve interiorly spaced from said wallto providerenewal-lead spaces, removable. collar having a fla'nge or partlyoverlying said spaces, andan end closure for the cap.

QJAQca structure of the character described having, in itsnormally-closed end portion, separated inner and outer walls al fordinga replacement-lead space, an

eraser holder detachably engaging the inner wall and partly covering theend of said renewal lead space, an eraser in said holder, and adetachable covering for said eraser engaging, and normally closing theend of,

bined with a cap or end piece slip-engaging the -outer wall of theshell, substantially as described. 4 J v 5. In a cap structure of thecharacter described, an outer shell, a removable cap for one end of saidshell, and an'eraser structure within said; shell normally concealed bythe cap, said eraser structure comprising a flanged sleeve and amush-room shaped eraser carried thereby.

6. A cap structure 6f scribed having a shell, a ribbed sleeve with in sad shell providing renewal-lead spaces,

a'holding clip having an end portion passing through said shell andengaged by one of the said r bs, and a closure for the leadreceptivespaces.

GEORGE HOFMANN.

RUBERT o. sc RoEDEn

